Question

Make the image of a hill scene 20 \( \times \) 15 cm in your drawing, where human or animal figures are mandatory. Complete with water colour or pastel colour.
Pay special attention to the following points in the painting :
(a) Correct drawing and perspective
(b) Correct and suitable composition
(c) Selection of suitable harmonious colours
(d) General effect and attraction

Hint:

Before starting on the final sheet, test your colour mixes on a scrap piece of paper. This helps in choosing the right shades and ensures harmony. For watercolours, always wait for a layer to dry before adding details on top to avoid muddying the colours.

Answer 1

Step 1: Understanding the Task 
The objective is to create a 20 cm \( \times \) 15 cm painting of a hill scene. Key requirements include the mandatory presence of human or animal figures, the use of watercolour or pastels, and adherence to specific artistic principles for grading. 
Step 2: Planning and Execution 
A systematic approach is crucial to meet all the criteria effectively. 
(b) Correct and suitable composition (5 marks): 
Begin by lightly sketching a few thumbnail compositions on a rough sheet. 
Apply the rule of thirds: Divide your 20x15 cm space into a 3x3 grid. Place key elements like a prominent tree, a hut, or the human/animal figures along these lines or at their intersections, not in the exact center. 
Create a sense of depth by establishing a foreground, middle ground, and background. For instance, the foreground could have detailed rocks and grass, the middle ground could have your human/animal figures and some trees, and the background could show distant, hazy mountains. 
Ensure the mandatory figures are well-integrated into the scene and are of a suitable scale. They should look like they belong in the environment. 
(a) Correct drawing and perspective (10 marks): 
After finalizing the composition, draw the scene lightly on your main sheet. Ensure proportions are correct. For example, the figures should be smaller if they are in the middle ground compared to an object in the foreground. 
Use atmospheric perspective: Objects in the distance (background hills) should be drawn with less detail, lighter tones, and cooler colours (more blue/grey). Objects in the foreground should be sharp, detailed, and have stronger colours. 
If any man-made structures like a fence or a hut are included, apply basic linear perspective to make them look three-dimensional. 
(c) Selection of suitable harmonious colours (10 marks): 
Choose a colour scheme that creates a harmonious mood. For a serene hill scene, an analogous colour scheme (e.g., using various shades of blue, green, and yellow-green) works well. 
If using watercolours, start with the lightest colours first. Apply a light wash for the sky (e.g., wet-on-wet technique for a soft, blended look). Then move to the background mountains with a lighter, cooler wash. Build up layers of colour, moving from background to foreground, and from light to dark. 
If using pastels, you can start with a mid-tone base colour and add darker and lighter colours on top. Use your fingers or a stump for blending to create smooth transitions, especially in the sky and distant hills. 
Use colours to enhance perspective; warmer, saturated colours for the foreground and cooler, muted colours for the background. 
(d) General effect and attraction (5 marks): 
This is about the overall impact of the painting. Add final details like highlights on leaves, shadows cast by figures or trees, and texture on rocks. 
Ensure your work is neat. Clean edges and confident strokes (or blending in pastels) will improve the general effect. 
The painting should have a clear focal point (e.g., the human figure) that draws the viewer's attention.